Draft:Frozen Confines

{{Short description|Outdoor hockey game in Chicago}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox concert

| image = Frozen Confines logo.jpg

| attendance = 50,497 (cumulative)

| date = January 3–4, 2025

| venue = Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois

| next =

}}

File:Frozen Confines IMG 4945 (1).jpg ahead of the start of play on the second day]]

Frozen Confines was a series of outdoor college hockey games played at Wrigley Field in Chicago January 3–4, 2025. The event was held in conjunction with the 2025 NHL Winter Classic that had been played at the same stadium days earlier. Three men's games were played between men's programs who play in the Big Ten Conference (Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Nittany Lions, and Wisconsin). One women's game was played between the Western Collegiate Hockey Association women's programs from two of the participating universities (the Ohio State and Wisconsin women's teams).

Each day of the event was ticketed as a double-header, with ticket holders having admission to both games on a given day. The two days of the Frozen Confines amassed a cumulative attendance of 50,497, with each day being attended by approximately 25,000 spectators.

Background

File:Welcome to the Frozen Confines (3157187685) (3).jpg neighborhood ahead of the 2009 NHL Winter Classic similarly referring to ice hockey at Wrigley Field as "The Frozen Confines", which is a reference to Wrigley Field's "The Friendly Confines" nickname]]

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5884 after the last game.jpg

File:Frozen Confines IMG 4967.jpg

2025 NHL Winter Classic , past 2009 NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley

The matches were the first college hockey matches to be held at Wrigley Field.{{cite web |last1=Mielke |first1=Mackenzie |title=The Frozen Confines Offers a Night Under Wrigley Field's Lights |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/ice-hockey/the-frozen-confines-offers-a-night-under-wrigley-fields-lights |website=The Michigan Daily |access-date=6 January 2025 |date=4 January 2025}} The event's name was a derivative of Wrigley Field's nickname, "The Friendly Confines".{{cite web |last1=Gray |first1=Shardaa |last2=Parys |first2=Jori |title=The Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field are now the Frozen Confines for NHL Winter Classic - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/wrigley-field-frozen-confines-nhl-winter-classic |website=CBS News|access-date=8 January 2025 |date=30 December 2024}}

The Big Ten had a recent history of holding events at Wrigley Field, with the Northwestern Wildcats football team having held several football games at the stadium since 2010. As a result, the hockey matches featuring Ohio State teams were not the first Ohio State sports matches to be held at Wrigley Field, as its football team had played a game against Northwestern there in November 2024.

Since the Big Ten Conference has an odd-number of men's ice hockey teams (seven), one of the conference's teams (Minnesota) did not participate in the Frozen Confines.

=Precursor events=

{{see further|Big Ten Conference#Outdoor ice hockey games|List of outdoor ice hockey games}}

Fenway Park in Boston, the other surviving Major League Baseball jewel box ballpark, had previously several times held similar multi-game college hockey series under the name "Frozen Fenway", with most teams in its series being from the ECAC Hockey and Hockey East. Fenway Park first held such a multi-game series in 2010 (in conjunction with the 2010 NHL Winter Classic at thaw stadium), and most recently held one in 2023 (in conjunction with the 2023 NHL Winter Classic at the stadium). Stand-alone editions of Frozen Fenway (without any partnered NHL event) were held in 2012, 2013/14, and 2017.

Besides the aforementioned 2010 and 2023 Frozen Fenway editions, there had been several earlier instances outdoor college matches being staged in conjunction with professional outdoor hockey matches. In 2011, the Whalers Hockey Fest featuring outdoor collegiate games was held in conjunction with the Whale Bowl (an outdoor AHL professional hockey match) at Rentschler Field (a college football stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut). Similarly, in 2013 Frozen Frontier featured college outdoor hockey games in conjunction with an outdoor AHL game at Frontier Field (a minor league baseball stadium in Rochester, New York). The 2013 Hockeytown Winter Festival held at Comerica Park (a Major League Baseball stadium in Detroit) featured college games, an event which also featured the an outdoor AHL game at the same stadium and which was held in conjunction with the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium (Michigan's college football stadium, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan). In January 2015, the Toledo Walleye Winterfest featured an outdoor college hockey match in conjunction with outdoor ECHL professional outdoor matches at Fifth Third Field (a Minor League Baseball stadium in Toledo, Ohio). The February 2016 Battle on Blake outdoor college game at Coors Field (a Major League Baseball stadium in Denver) was held in conjunction with a 2016 NHL Stadium Series match at the same venue. The 2019 NHL Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame's college football stadium, located in Notre Dame, Indiana) was accompanied by a men's college hockey match held days later dubbed "Let's Take This Outside".{{cite web |last1=Ray |first1=Olivia |title=Let's take this outside: Irish hockey falls to Michigan inside Notre Dame Stadium, 4- |url=https://wsbt.com/sports/content/lets-take-this-outside-irish-hockey-falls-to-michigan-inside-notre-dame-stadium-4- |website=WSBT |access-date=15 April 2025 |language=en |date=5 January 2019}}{{cite web |title=Notre Dame Hockey Outdoor Game Versus Michigan To Start At 4:30 PM |url=https://fightingirish.com/notre-dame-hockey-outdoor-game-versus-michigan-to-start-at-4-30-pm/ |website=Notre Dame Fighting Irish |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=4 January 2019}}

Prior to the event, it had been two years since any collegiate ice hockey team had played an outdoor game.

==Previous outdoor games featuring the participating teams==

{{see further|Big Ten Conference#Outdoor ice hockey games}}

The event was:

  • Michigan men's ninth appearance in an outdoor game{{cite web |last1=Bernardi |first1=Sam |title=A History of the University of Michigan’s Outdoor Hockey Games |url=https://www.maizenbrew.com/2025/1/3/24334232/michigan-hockey-wrigley-field-ohio-state-frozen-confines-outdoor-games-soldier-field |website=Maize n Brew |access-date=15 April 2025 |language=en |date=3 January 2025}}
  • Michigan State men's fifth appearance in an outdoor game
  • Ohio State men's fifth appearance in an outdoor game
  • Notre Dame men's fourth appearance in an outdoor game
  • Wisconsin men's fourth appearance in an outdoor game
  • Wisconsin women's second appearance in an outdoor game
  • Ohio State women's first appearance in an outdoor game
  • Penn State men's first appearance in an outdoor game

class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"

|+ Previous outdoor games featuring the participating teams

colspan=3| Eventrowspan=2| Teamrowspan=2|Opponent playedColspan=3|Venue || rowspan=2|Notes
DateEvent namePhotoNameLocationDescription
October 6, 2001Cold War200pxcolspan=2| Michigan men vs. Michigan StateSpartan StadiumEast Lansing, MichiganCollege football stadiumFirst outdoor game appearances of both Michigan and Michigan State
February 11, 2006Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic200pxcolspan=2| Ohio State men's vs Wisconsin men'sLambeau FieldGreen Bay, WisconsinNFL professional football stadiumFirst outdoor game appearances of both Ohio State men's and Wisconsin men's
rowspan=2| February 6, 2010rowspan=2|Camp Randall Hockey Classicrowspan=2| 200pxcolspan=2| Michigan vs. Wisconsin men’srowspan=2|Camp Randall Stadiumrowspan=2|Madison, Wisconsinrowspan=2|College football stadiumrowspan=2| Second outdoor game appearances of both Michigan and Wisconsin men's, first outdoor game appearance of Wisconsin women's
Wisconsin women’sBemidji State
December 11, 2010The Big Chill at the Big House200pxcolspan=2| Michigan vs. Michigan StateMichigan StadiumAnn Arbor, MichiganCollege football stadiumThird outdoor game appearance of Michigan, second outdoor game appearance of Michigan State; set the all-time record for ice hockey attendance
January 15, 2012The Frozen Diamond Faceoff200pxcolspan=2|Michigan vs. Ohio State men'sProgressive FieldCleveland, OhioMLB professional baseball stadiumMichigan's fourth outdoor game appearance, Ohio State men's second outdoor game appearance
rowspan=2|February 17, 2013rowspan=2|OfficeMax Hockey City Classicrowspan=2|200pxNotre DameMiami of Ohiorowspan=2|Soldier Fieldrowspan=2|Chicago, Illinoisrowspan=2|NFL professional football stadiumrowspan=2| Double-header; first outdoor game appearance of Notre Dame, third outdoor game appearance of Wisconsin men's
Wisconsin men'sMinnesota
rowspan=2|December 27, 2013rowspan=2|2013 Hockeytown Winter Festivalrowspan=2|MichiganWestern Michiganrowspan=2|Comerica Parkrowspan=2|Detroit, Michiganrowspan=2|MLB professional baseball stadiumrowspan=2|Double header; fifth outdoor game appearance of Michigan, third outdoor game appearance of Michigan State; the 2013 Hockeytown Winter Festival was held in conjunction with the 2014 NHL Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium. On other days at Comerica Park, it featured other college games, an AHL professional hockey game, and a OHL major junior game.
Michigan StateMichigan Tech
January 17, 20142014 OfficeMax Hockey City ClassicOhio State men'sMinnesotaHuntington Bank StadiumMinneapolis, MinnesotaCollege football stadiumOhio State men's third outdoor game appearance; part of a double-header
January 4, 2014Frozen Fenway 2014200pxNotre DameBoston CollegeFenway ParkBoston, MassachusettsMLB professional baseball stadiumNotre Dame's second outdoor game appearance; part of a double-header. Frozen Fenway 2014 featured further matches on other days as well.
February 7, 20152015 OfficeMax Hockey City Classiccolspan=2| Michigan vs. Michigan StateSoldier FieldChicago, IllinoisNFL professional football stadiumMichigan's sixth outdoor game appearance, Michigan State's fourth outdoor game appearance; part of a double-header
January 5, 2019Let's Take This Outsidecolspan=2|Michigan vs. Notre DameNotre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IndianaCollege football stadiumMichigan's seventh outdoor game appearance, Notre Dame's third outdoor game appearance; held in conjunction with the 2019 Winter Classic at the same venue
February 18, 2023Faceoff on the Lake200pxcolspan=2| Michigan vs. Ohio State men'sHuntington Bank FieldCleveland, OhioNFL professional football stadiumMichigan's eighth outdoor game appearance; Ohio State men's fourth outdoor game appearance

Uniforms worn

Most teams wore special alternate jersey which took design cues from baseball jerseys. The exception was Michigan State, which opted to instead wear their usual white "home" jerseys for the games.

=Michigan uniforms=

Michigan players wore uniforms which took design cues from Chicago Cubs baseball uniforms of the 1980s. The jerseys took inspiration from road jerseys which the Chicago Cubs wore in the 1980s. The hockey jerseys were primarily yellow ("maize"){{cite web |last1=Hecken |first1=Phil |title=Michigan Hockey Unveils Special Uniforms for Outdoor Game vs. Ohio State |url=https://uni-watch.com/2025/01/03/michigan-hockey-unveils-special-uniforms-for-outdoor-game-vs-ohio-state |website=Uni Watch |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=3 January 2025}} and featured a navy blue version of the University of Michigan's "Block M" emblem on its left chest, placed similarly to where Cubs jerseys typically local a "C" logo.{{cite web |last1=Zuke |first1=Ryan |title=Michigan hockey unveils Chicago Cubs-inspired jerseys for Wrigley Field game |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2025/01/michigan-hockey-unveils-chicago-cubs-inspired-jerseys-for-outdoor-game-at-wrigley-field.html |website=MLive |access-date=15 April 2025 |language=en |date=2 January 2025}} The jerseys featured a white collar with a navy blue trim. The right sleeves featured player numbers in navy blue (with white outlines) using the Chicago Cubs jersey font. This same font and color scheme was also used for the jersey numbers on the back of the jersey. Player names on the backs of the jerseys were also in navy blue with white outlines, and featured text which arched over the player number. The left sleeve featured a patch with the likeness of Biff, the Michigan Wolverine. The hockey socks worn by the school's players were primarily yellow, but featured navy blue panels on the front and the back meant to mimic the shape of Baseball stirrups. The right sleeve featured the player number (which was also included on the back of each jersey). The collars of the jerseys were typical of hockey jerseys. Michigan players also wore helmets with blue-and-yellow "winged" patterns. The hockey pants and gloves worn by their players were navy blue. The pants featured a yellow ("maize") "Block M" logo on the right leg. The jersey design was regarded to be unconventional for the sport of ice hockey.{{cite web |last1=Cook |first1=Glenn |title=Michigan Goes Out to Left Field for Baseball-Inspired Frozen Confines Jerseys |url=https://news.sportslogos.net/2025/01/03/michigan-goes-out-to-left-field-for-baseball-inspired-frozen-confines-jerseys/college/ |website=SportsLogos.Net News |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=3 January 2025}}

=Notre Dame uniforms=

Notre Dame wore jerseys which took numerous design cues from the flag of Chicago, also featuring iconography associated with its university, such as substituting four shamrocks for the four stars featured on the flag of Chicago. https://uni-watch.com/2024/12/18/notre-dame-hockey-to-wear-chicago-inspired-sweaters-for-wrigley-game/

=Ohio State men's uniforms=

Ohio State https://news.sportslogos.net/2024/12/30/ohio-state-brings-baseball-look-to-the-rink-for-outdoor-game-at-wrigley-field/college/

https://uni-watch.com/2024/12/28/osus-frozen-confines-uni-more-football-fields/

=Ohio State women's uniforms=

=Penn State uniforms=

Penn State https://onwardstate.com/2024/12/27/penn-state-mens-hockey-unveils-frozen-confines-series-jerseys/

https://uni-watch.com/2024/12/27/penn-state-hockey-reveals-uniforms-for-frozen-confines-game-at-wrigley-field/

https://news.sportslogos.net/2024/12/27/take-me-out-to-the-hockey-game-penn-state-unveils-baseball-themed-jersey-for-wrigley-field-game/college/

=Wisconsin men's uniforms=

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5814 (1).jpg

Wisconsin's men's team wore jerseys which featured "baseball-inspired front". The jerseys were accompanied by black hockey pants, which differed from the team's usual red pants. The black pants resembled the uniforms of the Chicago Blackhawks, who typically wear black pants.

red color of jerseys, etc.

https://news.sportslogos.net/2025/01/03/wisconsin-mens-womens-teams-roll-out-separate-baseball-inspired-uniforms-for-frozen-confines-series/college/

https://uni-watch.com/2025/01/02/wisconsin-men-and-women-unveil-special-uniforms-for-wrigley-field-outdoor-games/

=Wisconsin women's uniforms=

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5170 (1).jpg

The Wisconsin women wore jerseys which featured "Wisconsin" written across their chest, which the program described as "a vintage look and a nod to historic Wisconsin jerseys." This also resembled the jerseys that had been previously worn by the university's baseball program prior to its discontinuance.{{cite web |last1=Stumbris |first1=Kendrick |title=Wisconsin Hockey Reveals Special Uniforms for 'Frozen Confines' |url=https://athlonsports.com/college/all-badgers/wisconsin-hockey-reveals-special-uniforms-for-frozen-confines |website=Athlon Sports |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=January 1, 2025}}

white jerseys, etc.

{{clear}}

Logistics

All of the games were aired on the Big Ten Network.

https://www.mlb.com/amp/press-release/press-release-big-ten-conference-and-chicago-cubs-partner-for-the-frozen-confines-big-ten-hockey-series.html

Each day of the event was ticketed as a double-header, with ticket holders having admission to both games on a given day.

The first game of each day began in the afternoon, and was followed by a night game.{{cite web |last1=Wroblewski |first1=john |title=Frozen Confines |url=https://www.globaltravelerusa.com/blog/frozen-confines |website=Global Traveler |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=January 8, 2025}}

Each day of the event saw attendance of approximately 25,000. The two days amassed a cumulative attendance of 50,497.{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Mark |title=Frozen Confines: Top Highlights and Best Moments from Wisconsin Hockey at Wrigley |url=https://badgerofhonor.com/frozen-confines-top-highlights-and-best-moments-from-wisconsin-hockey-at-wrigley |website=Badger of Honor |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en-us |date=5 January 2025}} On the first day, likely due in part to cold weather, significantly fewer spectators attended the second game compared to the first. Many left before or soon after the conclusion of the Michigan–Ohio State game.

Related festivities

https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/11/20/mens-hockey-sluggers-bar-official-badger-pregame-spot-for-big-ten-frozen-confines-in-chicago.aspx

Due to the conflicting dates of the 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, four men's players were absent from men's teams rosters during the Frozen Confines in order to compete for the United States in the World Juniors (Michigan State's Trey Augustine; Notre Dame's Paul Fischer and Danny Nelson; and Wisconsin's Logan Hensler).{{cite web |title=Week 14 Hockey Release |url=https://bigten.org/mhky/article/bltfd37bc459ae37c7f |website=Big Ten Conference |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=January 8, 2025}}

Weather

The games took place as Chicago was impacted by a "deep freeze" winter weather pattern.{{cite web |title=Big Ten Hockey Makes Wrigley Field Debut at Frozen Confines |url=https://bigten.org/mhky/article/bltd919edb74b6fbea6 |website=Big Ten Conference |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=November 4, 2025}}

The team benches featured heating.

=Weather on January 3=

On January 3, the local temperature was {{convert|24|F|C K}} during the first game's opening face-off. Cold dry air at the stadium created a low wind chill.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Evan |title=Penn State men's hockey battles cold conditions at Frozen Confines of Wrigley Field |url=https://www.psucollegian.com/sports/men_hockey/penn-state-mens-hockey-battles-cold-conditions-at-frozen-confines-of-wrigley-field/article_8409ea10-cac0-11ef-844f-53886da150c5.html |website=The Daily Collegian |access-date=30 January 2025 |language=en |date=4 January 2025}}

=Weather on January 4=

second day

Local temperatures on January 4 were described by WLS-TV as being "bitterly cold".{{cite web |last1=War |first1=Tre |title=Fans Brave Bitter Cold For 'Frozen Confines' Big 10 College Hockey Series at Wrigley Field |url=https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-weather-fans-brave-bitterly-cold-temperatures-frozen-confines-big-10-college-hockey-game-wrigley-field/15754587 |website=ABC7 Chicago (WLS-TV) |access-date=30 January 2025 |language=en |date=5 January 2025}}

Michigan vs. Ohio State men's (January 3, 2025)

{{see also|2024–25 Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey season|2024–25 Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey season}}

File:Frozen Confines (54246581279).jpg

Michigan entered the game ranked #9 among NCAA men's programs, while Ohio State entered the game ranked #13.

The game between the Michigan and Ohio State men's teams was scheduled as the first of a two-game series between the teams, with Michigan considered to be the "home" team. The second game of the series was played at Michigan's home rink, Yost Arena on January 5. Heading into the game, Michigan was ranked 9th nationally and Ohio State was ranked 13th.{{cite web |title=No. 13 Buckeyes Rally to Down No. 9 Wolverines at Wrigley |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/1/3/mens-ice-hockey-no-13-buckeyes-rally-to-down-no-9-wolverines-at-wrigley |website=Ohio State Buckeyes |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=January 2024}}

Attendance during the game was in excess of 25,000. https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/frozen-confines-big-ten-series-proves-second-city-is-hockeys-no-1-host

=Game summary=

{{NHLPlayoffs

|team1= Michigan Wolverines

|team2= Ohio State Buckeyes (men's)

|stadium1= Wrigley Field

|date1= January 3, 2025{{cite web |title=Men's Ice Hockey vs Michigan on 01/03/2025 - Box Score |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/stats/2024-25/michigan/boxscore/20468 |website=Ohio State Buckeyes |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=January 2024}}

|score1= 3–4

|won1=

|recap1= https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/stats/2024-25/michigan/boxscore/20468

}}

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Scoring summary
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Goal

! style="width:35%;"| Assist(s)

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| Score

style="text-align:center;"| 1st

|align=center | MICH

|align=center | Michael Hage

|align=center |

|align=center | 18:14

|align=center | 1–0 MICH

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| 2nd

|align=center | MICH

|align=center | T.J. Hughes

|align=center | Will Horcoff, Evan Werner

|align=center | 04:42
(power play)

|align=center | 2–01 MICH

align=center | OSU

|align=center | Sam Deckhut

|align=center | Noah Powell, Brent Johnson

|align=center | 12:56

|align=center | 2–1 MICH

align=center | OSU

|align=center | Noah Powell

|align=center | Chris Able

|align=center | 18:37

|align=center | 2–2 TIE

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"| 3rd

|align=center | MICH

|align=center | Will Horcoff

|align=center | Michael Hage, T.J. Hughes

|align=center | 9:15
(power play)

|align=center | 3–2 MICH

align=center | OSU

|align=center | Riley Thompson

|align=center | Aiden Hansen-Bukata, Gunnarwolfe Fontaine

|align=center | 12:05
(power play)

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

align=center | OSU

|align=center | Riley Thompson

|align=center | Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Davis Burnside

|align=center | 19:21.6
(power play)

|align=center | 4–3 OSU

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Penalty summary
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Player

! style="width:35%;"| Penalty

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| PIM

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-break}}

;Shots by period

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:10%;" | 1

! style="width:10%;" | 2

! style="width:10%;" | 3

! style="width:10%;" | OT

! style="width:10%;" | Total

{{Col-break}}

;Power play opportunities

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Goals/Opportunities

style="text-align:left;"| Michigan
style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State

{{col-end}}

=Game synopsis=

File:Michigan at Wisconsin IMG 2317 (Will Horcoff1).jpg (photographed at a game later that month)]]

File:Frozen Confines (54246567198) (scoreboard).jpg

Michigan Freshman Will Horcoff made his collegiate hockey debut in the game, and recorded a goal and an assist.

In the third period, Michigan freshman Horcoff scored his first collegiate hockey goal during a power play for his team, giving his team a 3–2 lead. However, Ohio State took advantage of a power play to tie the game. Ohio then scored again, and won the game. The game-winning goal was scored by Ohio's Riley Thompson with 38 seconds remaining in regulation play.{{cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Jacob |title=See Photos From Michigan vs. Ohio State Hockey at Wrigley Field |url=https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/2025/01/see-photos-from-michigan-vs-ohio-state-hockey-at-wrigley-field.html |website=MLive |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=6 January 2025}}

https://www.maizenbrew.com/2025/1/4/24335685/michigan-wolverines-hockey-ohio-state-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-wayne-gretzky-big-ten

https://www.nbc4i.com/sports/buckeyes/ohio-state-mens-hockey-beats-michigan-at-wrigley-field-with-last-second-goal/

https://www.maizenbrew.com/2025/1/3/24335452/michigan-hockey-ohio-state-wrigley-field-frozen-confines-brandon-naurato-2025-season

https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-men-hockey-beats-114242376.html

Ohio State's Riley Thompson scored the game-winning-goal with only 38 seconds remaining in regulation play.

{{clear}}

Notre Dame vs. Penn State men's (January 3, 2025)

{{see also|2024–25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey season|2024–25 Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey season}}

https://www.psucollegian.com/sports/men_hockey/penn-state-mens-hockey-battles-cold-conditions-at-frozen-confines-of-wrigley-field/article_8409ea10-cac0-11ef-844f-53886da150c5.html

=Game summary=

{{NHLPlayoffs

|team1= Penn State Nittany Lions (men's)

|team2= Notre Dame Fighting Irish (men's)

|stadium1= Wrigley Field

|date1= January 3, 2025{{cite web |title=Men's Ice Hockey vs Michigan on 01/03/2025 - Box Score |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/mens-ice-hockey/stats/2024-25/michigan/boxscore/20468 |website=Ohio State Buckeyes |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=January 2024}}

|score1= 3–3

|won1=

|recap1= https://www.ncaa.com/game/6344211/boxscore

}}

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Scoring summary{{cite web |title=Penn State vs Notre Dame DI Men's Ice Hockey Game Summary - January 3rd, 2025 |url=https://www.ncaa.com/game/6344211/scoring-summary |website=NCAA.com |access-date=29 January 2025 |language=en}}
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Goal

! style="width:35%;"| Assist(s)

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| Score

rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| 1st

|align=center | N DAME

|align=center | Grant Silianoff

|align=center | Jack Larrigan, Zach Lucinski

|align=center | 7:29

|align=center | 1–0 N DAME

align=center | PENNST

|align=center | Tyler Paquette

|align=center | Keaton Peters

|align=center | 8:25

|align=center | 1–1 TIE

align=center | N DAME

|align=center | Justin Janicke

|align=center | Blake Biondi, Cole Knuble

|align=center | 19:19

|align=center | 2–1 N DAME

style="text-align:center;"| 2nd

|align=center | PENNST

|align=center | Matt Dimarsico

|align=center | Charlie Cerrato, Aiden Fink

|align=center | 19:28

|align=center | 2–2 TIE

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 3rd

|align=center | PENNST

|align=center | Aiden Fink

|align=center | Dane Dowiak

|align=center | 00:10

|align=center | 3–2 PENNST

align=center | N DAME

|align=center | Carter Slaggert

|align=center | Grant Silianoff, Jack Larrigan

|align=center | 11:02

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

style="text-align:center;" | OT

|colspan=4 {{N/A}}

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

style="text-align:center;" | 2OT

|colspan=4 {{N/A}}

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

style="text-align:center;" | SO

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Penalty summary
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Player

! style="width:35%;"| Penalty

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| PIM

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-break}}

;Shots by period

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:10%;" | 1

! style="width:10%;" | 2

! style="width:10%;" | 3

! style="width:10%;" | OT

! style="width:10%;" | 2OT

! style="width:10%;" | SO*

! style="width:10%;" | Total

{{Col-break}}

;Power play opportunities

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Goals/Opportunities

style="text-align:left;"| Penn State
style="text-align:left;"| Notre Dame

{{col-end}}

=Game synopsis=

File:Frozen Confines (54246580849).jpg set-up to display the January 3 scores]]

Before the game, Penn State players warmed up by tossing a football on the field, and Notre Dame players warmed up by playing catch with a baseball and baseball mitts (while Michigan and Ohio State were still playing).

https://rrsn.com/helliwells-successful-shootout-shot-gives-irish-extra-point-after-3-3-tie-with-penn-state-in-frozen-confines-at-wrigley-field-2/

A shootout was held for the purposes of awarding one team an additional point in conference rankings.

Notre Dame won the shootout after eight rounds.

Penn State goaltender Arsenii Sergeev would be named one the Big Ten first star of the week.{{cite web |title=Michigan State and Penn State Garner Three Stars Accolades |url=https://bigten.org/mhky/article/blt6a07db8e6e02503e |website=Big Ten Conference |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=January 7, 2025}}

{{clear}}

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin women's (January 4, 2025)

{{see also|2024–25 Ohio State Buckeyes women's ice hockey season|2024–25 Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey season}}

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5095 (1).jpg

Wisconsin entered the game ranked #1 among NCAA Division I women's programs,{{cite web |title=Frozen Confines Delivers Competitive Hockey |url=https://bigten.org/mhky/article/blt6a62cb7d66b309b7 |website=Big Ten Conference |access-date=30 January 2025 |date=January 6, 2025}} while Ohio State entered the game ranked #2. The two teams had faced each-other in the two most recent national championship games (2023 and 2024). The game began at approximately 4:30pm central time. The game was the second of a series between Wisconsin and Ohio State's women's team, considered a "home" series for Wisconsin's team. The first game had been played January 1 at Wisconsin's LaBahn Arena.{{cite web |last1=Kallmann |first1=Dave |title=Playing outdoor hockey at the ‘Frozen Confines’ will give Wisconsin teams lifetime memories of Wrigley |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2024/12/31/wisconsin-badgers-mens-womens-hockey-teams-set-for-games-outdoors-at-chicago-cubs-wrigley-field/76948009007/ |website=Journal Sentinel |access-date=15 April 2025 |date=December 31, 2024}}

=Game summary=

{{NHLPlayoffs

|team1= Ohio State Buckeyes (women's)

|team2= Wisconsin Badgers (women's)

|stadium1= Wrigley Field

|date1= January 4, 2025

|score1= 3–3

|won1=

|recap1= https://www.ncaa.com/game/6346810

}}

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Scoring summary{{cite web |title=Ohio State vs Wisconsin Badgers DI Women's Ice Hockey Game Summary - January 4th, 2025 |url=https://www.ncaa.com/game/6346810/scoring-summary |website=NCAA.com |access-date=29 January 2025 |language=en}}
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Goal

! style="width:35%;"| Assist(s)

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| Score

rowspan=3 style="text-align:center;"| 1st

|align=center | OHIOST

|align=center | Jordyn Petrie

|align=center | Joy Dunne, Emma Peschel

|align=center | 0:49

|align=center | 1–0 OHIOST

align=center | WISC

|align=center | Caroline Harvey

|align=center | Kirsten Simms, Casey O'Brien

|align=center | 5:52

|align=center | 1–1 WISC

align=center | WISC

|align=center | Kirsten Simms

|align=center | unassisted

|align=center | 10:01

|align=center | 2–1 WISC

style="text-align:center;"| 2nd

|align=center | OHIOST

|align=center | Makenna Webster

|align=center | Jocelyn Amos

|align=center | 18:20

|align=center | 2–2 TIE

style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"| 3rd

|align=center | OHIOST

|align=center | Joy Dunne

|align=center | Jenna Buglioni, Joryn Petrie

|align=center | 02:38

|align=center | 3–2 OHIOST

align=center | WISC

|align=center | Kelly Gorbatenko

|align=center | Laney Potter, Ava Murphy

|align=center | 14:17

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

style="text-align:center;" | OT

|colspan=4 {{N/A}}

|align=center | 3–3 TIE

style="text-align:center;" | SO

|align=center | OHIOST

|align=center | Jenna Buglioni

|align=center | shootout

|align=center {{N/A}}

|align=center | 3–3 TIE (NCAA rankings)
4–3 OHIOST (conference rankings)

style="width:100%;" class="wikitable"
colspan=6 | Penalty summary
style="width:12%;"| Period

! style="width:7%;"| Team

! style="width:28%;"| Player

! style="width:35%;"| Penalty

! style="width:7%;"| Time

! style="width:11%;"| PIM

{{Col-begin}}

{{Col-break}}

;Shots by period

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:10%;" | 1

! style="width:10%;" | 2

! style="width:10%;" | 3

! style="width:10%;" | OT

! style="width:10%;" | SO*

! style="width:10%;" | Total

{{Col-break}}

;Power play opportunities

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Team

! style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Goals/Opportunities

style="text-align:left;"| Ohio State
style="text-align:left;"| Wisconsin Badgers

{{col-end}}

=Three stars=

Named as the three stars were:{{cite web |last1=Milewski |first1=Todd D. |title=3 Things That Stood Out In Wisconsin Women's Hockey's Tie and Shootout Loss at Wrigley Field |url=https://badgerextra.com/sports/hockey/women/wisconsin-womens-hockey-ohio-state-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-result/article_73c3d4fa-cabf-11ef-bdb8-ef26faeffbd0.html |website=BadgerExtra |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en |date=4 January 2025}}

  • 1st: Jenna Buglioni (Ohio State)
  • 2nd: Amanda Theile (Ohio State)
  • 3rd: Ava McNaughton (goaltender, Wisconsin)

=Game synopsis=

https://badgerextra.com/sports/hockey/women/wisconsin-womens-hockey-ohio-state-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-result/article_73c3d4fa-cabf-11ef-bdb8-ef26faeffbd0.html

https://athlonsports.com/college/all-badgers/wisconsin-womens-hockey-penalties-leave-what-ifs-at-frozen-confines

https://badgerextra.com/sports/hockey/women/wisconsin-womens-hockey-ohio-state-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-result/article_73c3d4fa-cabf-11ef-bdb8-ef26faeffbd0.html

A shootout was held for the purposes of awarding one team an additional point in conference rankings.

Ohio State won the shootout after seven rounds.

{{clear}}

Michigan State vs. Wisconsin men's (January 4, 2025)

{{see also|2024–25 Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey season|2024–25 Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey season}}

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5480.jpg being performed before the start of the Michigan State vs. Wisconsin game]]

Michigan State entered the game as the #1 ranked team in the NCAA, while Wisconsin was unranked. Michigan State was regarded to be the "home" team.

The game was the second of a two-game series, the first game of which had been played January 2 at Munn Ice Arena in Lansing, Michigan.{{cite web |title=Wisconsin Falls at No. 1 Michigan State |url=https://uwbadgers.com/news/2025/1/2/mens-hockey-wisconsin-falls-at-no-1-michigan-state.aspx |website=Wisconsin Badgers |last1=Mick |first1=Kali |access-date=29 January 2025 |language=en |date=2 January 2025}}

The game began at approximately 8pm central time.

=Game summary=

=Game synopsis=

File:Frozen Confines IMG 5769.jpg

https://sports.yahoo.com/recapping-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-190000352.html

https://www.si.com/college/michiganstate/hockey/no-1-msu-comes-out-on-top-in-epic-frozen-confines-showdown-wins-4-3-in-ot-01jgtbsrrpet

While both teams had previously played outdoor games, this marked the first such game which Wisconsin had played in a baseball venue. Since Wisconsin men had won their previous outdoor game appearances, https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/8/15/hockey-Frozen-Confines-Big-Ten-Hockey-Series.aspx this marked their first outdoor loss

https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/columnists/graham-couch/2025/01/05/msu-hockey-warmed-the-souls-of-frozen-fans-at-wrigley-field/77466186007/

https://badgerextra.com/sports/hockey/men/wisconsin-mens-hockey-michigan-state-frozen-confines-wrigley-field-result/article_bbd9939c-cabf-11ef-99b5-fbabd3598e0a.html

https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2025/1/5/24336383/wisconsin-badgers-comeback-at-frozen-confines-vs-michigan-state-spartans-thwarted-in-final-seconds

https://www.uscho.com/2025/01/09/this-week-in-big-ten-hockey-frozen-confines-a-successful-event-on-plethora-of-levels-as-players-coaches-call-experience-unbelievable/

Michigan's Daniel Russell scored the game-winning goal with only a single second remaining in overtime.

Michigan State players Daniel Russell and Isaac Howard were named the Big Ten second and third stars of the week.

{{clear}}

References